Uploaded September 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In Revelation 11: John is told to measure the Temple.
"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months" (Revelation 11:1-2).
John has just eaten the opened scroll. Having received it from the hand of the mighty angel, John finds it to be sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach. It is possible that John doubles over with pain, because the angel, still standing with one foot upon the sea and the other on the earth, bids John to "rise." A measuring reed is given to him with the command to measure the temple, the altar and the worshippers. The Greek word used here for "temple" is "naon," referring to a "holy place," not "hieron," which would depict an elaborate temple with several rooms. It seems that this "temple" may be a modest tent for keeping the Ark of the Covenant. Such was the tabernacle of David built to house the Ark until a permanent sanctuary could be constructed. Note that John is told to measure these things, yet no measurements are recorded. The only thing that we can determine from these verses is that there is a "court of the Gentiles" in the immediate area that was not to be measured. These are not the Gentiles "upon whom the name of the Lord is called." These Gentiles are a profane people - the people who tread the city under foot for forty-two months. The "altar" in this passage of Revelation 11 likely refers to the Brazen Altar located outside the sanctuary, rather than the Incense Altar, which might be inside. Measuring the "worshippers" implies the immediate inner courtyard around the Brazen Altar. John's instruction to measure the Temple with a reed is similar to Ezekiel's measurements. Ezekiel also uses a reed - measuring rod "six cubits and a hand breadth" (Ezekiel 40:5) - about eleven feet long. Ezekiel records one measurement, in particular, that may help us to understand why John uses the Greek word "naon." Ezekiel explains that the temple he measured is a tent - a tabernacle.
John is instructed not to measure the "court that is without the Temple." Today, two Moslem mosques stand in that area. Is it possible that Islamic control over the Temple Mount will continue throughout the Tribulation period? Perhaps the United Nations will send troops to keep the peace between the Moslems and the Jews:
"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months" (Revelation 11:2).
The reference to Gentiles treading the city under foot may speak of the time when the Antichrist commits the "abomination of desolation." The Apostle Paul tells us that the Antichrist will sit in the Temple, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). At the beginning of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will strengthen the covenant, perhaps by military means. He will allow the Jews to build a wall of separation and erect a sanctuary on the northern half of the Temple Mount. However, in the midst of the seven years, he will stop the sacrifices and commit the "abomination of desolation." Daniel sets the scene in the 70th week (Daniel 9:27). Jesus specifically dedicated this occasion as the time when believers should leave the city and find sanctuary in the mountains (Matthew 24:15-20). From that point, the Great Tribulation will set in (the last three and a half years). God's judgment will be poured out upon an unbelieving human race. It is important to note that this portion of the seven-year Tribulation will last for three and a half years. It is known as the "Great" Tribulation. For this reason, the next few chapters contain various ways of describing the time. The Gentiles will tread the city under foot for 42 months. The two witnesses will minister for 1260 days, etc. The seven years of the Tribulation are divided into two periods of three and a half years each. There is no specific passage in the book of Revelation that gives the details of the "abomination of desolation." However, one can see that this passage alludes to it by allowing a Jewish sanctuary to be established. There must be a place for Jewish worship in order for the Antichrist to commit the abomination. The mystical leviathan out of the sea will seize the opportunity to establish a world capital in Jerusalem. The beast out of the earth will make an image to the leviathan and demand a mark in the right hand or forehead of all men. All of this will come about as a direct result of the "abomination of desolation."
DO YOU BELIEVE IN DRAGONS?
youtube.com/watch?v=ML5QfYXtW3E&t=420s
In Revelation 11: John is told to measure the Temple.
"And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months" (Revelation 11:1-2).
John has just eaten the opened scroll. Having received it from the hand of the mighty angel, John finds it to be sweet in his mouth and bitter in his stomach. It is possible that John doubles over with pain, because the angel, still standing with one foot upon the sea and the other on the earth, bids John to "rise." A measuring reed is given to him with the command to measure the temple, the altar and the worshippers. The Greek word used here for "temple" is "naon," referring to a "holy place," not "hieron," which would depict an elaborate temple with several rooms. It seems that this "temple" may be a modest tent for keeping the Ark of the Covenant. Such was the tabernacle of David built to house the Ark until a permanent sanctuary could be constructed. Note that John is told to measure these things, yet no measurements are recorded. The only thing that we can determine from these verses is that there is a "court of the Gentiles" in the immediate area that was not to be measured. These are not the Gentiles "upon whom the name of the Lord is called." These Gentiles are a profane people - the people who tread the city under foot for forty-two months. The "altar" in this passage of Revelation 11 likely refers to the Brazen Altar located outside the sanctuary, rather than the Incense Altar, which might be inside. Measuring the "worshippers" implies the immediate inner courtyard around the Brazen Altar. John's instruction to measure the Temple with a reed is similar to Ezekiel's measurements. Ezekiel also uses a reed - measuring rod "six cubits and a hand breadth" (Ezekiel 40:5) - about eleven feet long. Ezekiel records one measurement, in particular, that may help us to understand why John uses the Greek word "naon." Ezekiel explains that the temple he measured is a tent - a tabernacle.
John is instructed not to measure the "court that is without the Temple." Today, two Moslem mosques stand in that area. Is it possible that Islamic control over the Temple Mount will continue throughout the Tribulation period? Perhaps the United Nations will send troops to keep the peace between the Moslems and the Jews:
"But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months" (Revelation 11:2).
The reference to Gentiles treading the city under foot may speak of the time when the Antichrist commits the "abomination of desolation." The Apostle Paul tells us that the Antichrist will sit in the Temple, claiming to be God (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). At the beginning of the Tribulation, the Antichrist will strengthen the covenant, perhaps by military means. He will allow the Jews to build a wall of separation and erect a sanctuary on the northern half of the Temple Mount. However, in the midst of the seven years, he will stop the sacrifices and commit the "abomination of desolation." Daniel sets the scene in the 70th week (Daniel 9:27). Jesus specifically dedicated this occasion as the time when believers should leave the city and find sanctuary in the mountains (Matthew 24:15-20). From that point, the Great Tribulation will set in (the last three and a half years). God's judgment will be poured out upon an unbelieving human race. It is important to note that this portion of the seven-year Tribulation will last for three and a half years. It is known as the "Great" Tribulation. For this reason, the next few chapters contain various ways of describing the time. The Gentiles will tread the city under foot for 42 months. The two witnesses will minister for 1260 days, etc. The seven years of the Tribulation are divided into two periods of three and a half years each. There is no specific passage in the book of Revelation that gives the details of the "abomination of desolation." However, one can see that this passage alludes to it by allowing a Jewish sanctuary to be established. There must be a place for Jewish worship in order for the Antichrist to commit the abomination. The mystical leviathan out of the sea will seize the opportunity to establish a world capital in Jerusalem. The beast out of the earth will make an image to the leviathan and demand a mark in the right hand or forehead of all men. All of this will come about as a direct result of the "abomination of desolation."
DO YOU BELIEVE IN DRAGONS?
youtube.com/watch?v=ML5QfYXtW3E&t=420s
